Effort to End the Dark Store Loophole Continues

At the June County Board Meeting, the County will consider a resolution to affirm its view in 2016 that the State Legislature needs to end the Dark Store loophole.  Two years ago the resolution was introduced by me, after learning about this issue from City Alderman Chris Jenkins.  This time around, it is being authored jointly by myself and the full Executive Board.

Remember, the dark store loophole allows national retailers to shirk their property tax obligations, pushing them instead onto small businesses and local homeowners.  Walgreens began the onslaught of National Retailers in West Bend using this loophole.  Meier had only been open a week or 2 when they initiated their effort to use this loophole.

A lot of our local legislators are in full support of ending this, including Assemblymen Rick Gundrum and Robert Brooks, as well as State Senator Duey Stroebel.  They worked hard during the last legislative session to try to put an end to this tax loophole, and I know they'll be working hard again on this issue after the fall elections.